CIA Challenge Exam Frequently Asked Questions July 2021 - The IIA and the CIA Challenge Exam
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
CIA® Challenge Exam
Frequently Asked Questions
July 2021
The IIA and the CIA Challenge Exam
Who is The IIA?
The Institute of Internal Auditors (The IIA) is the acknowledged worldwide leader of the
internal audit profession, its global voice, recognised authority, chief advocate, and principal
educator, with more than 200,000 members in over 170 countries around the world.
Typically, members provide assurance and advisory services within the broad spectrum of
governance, risk, and control, with responsibilities that may include internal and external
auditing, risk management, internal control, information technology audit, education, and
security.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Singapore is the only professional body dedicated to
the advancement and development of the internal audit profession in Singapore. For over 45
years, we have been advocating the interests of the profession and remain committed to
raising the profile and standing of the internal audit profession and developing the
knowledge, skills and expertise of internal auditors. Representing over 2,500 members, we
enhance technical excellence through The IIA's International Standards for the Professional
Practice of Internal Auditing and Code of Ethics.
What is Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)?
With over 170,000 holders worldwide, the Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®) is the premier
global certification for all those working in internal audit, regardless of background, sector, or
region. It provides recognition and status among peers and principal stakeholders, and
identifies individuals as committed and competent internal audit professionals. The CIA
Challenge Exam is a unique opportunity for professional auditors to earn this distinguished
certification through an expedited process based on the candidates’ existing member
affiliation.
What are the advantages of taking the CIA Challenge Exam?
With the CIA credential added to your resume, you demonstrate that you are a credible and
trusted internal auditor who is knowledgeable in organisational governance and equipped for
career-advancing opportunities.
Who are eligible for the CIA Challenge Exam?
Candidates must be current members of one of the following qualified accounting bodies;
former members and students are ineligible:
• American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) *
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
• Chartered Accountants Ireland Institute
• Chartered Professional Accountants Canada (CPA Canada)
• CPA Australia
• Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA)
• Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA Ireland)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
2• Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)
• Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)
• Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)
• Registro Oficial de Auditores de Cuentas (ROAC)
• Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA)
• South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
When can I apply to the CIA Challenge Exam program?
Application to the CIA Challenge Exam program is only one step in the process to earning
certification through the expedited CIA Challenge Exam. The chart below outlines the steps
necessary to complete the program.
ACTION
APPLY IIA Singapore Candidates to apply for IIA Singapore’s membership to enjoy
Membership (Optional) exam at preferential rates by applying here.
APPLY LETTER of Good Candidate to request Letter of Good Standing from relevant QAB
Standing from Candidate’s and submit it in CCMS as required below.
Qualified Accounting Body
(QAB) For ISCA members:
Request via ISCA online via the ISCA member's portal
https://eservices.isca.org.sg/signin, or email
membership@isca.org.sg
For ACCA members:
• Login to myACCA
• On the left, select Documents and downloads (if using
mobile device, select the Menu icon from the top left-
hand corner)
• Select the letter you want to download if you're
downloading a letter of good standing, select the reason
for your download
• Select Submit
• Save letter to desktop
For other QABs,
CPA Australia: Email to sg@cpaaustralia.com.au
ICAEW: Email to southeastasia@icaew.com
CA ANZ: Log a support ticket in My Support in My CA
CREATE a Profile in CCMS Access CCMS and follow the instructions to create a profile or to
Starting from 1 August 2021 RESETPASSWORD for an existing CCMS profile login information
or password. Supporting browsers are newest versions of
Microsoft Edge, Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.
APPLY to the program Applications are accepted from 1 August through 30 September
2021. On your CCMS home page select ‘Apply for Certified
31 August – 30 September Internal Auditor’ and select the ‘Accounting Body Challenge
2021 Exam’. Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete your
application.
SUBMIT documentation in Letter of Good Standing from QAB, complete the electronic
CCMS character reference and Government Issued ID.
The name on your Government Issued ID must match the name
on your web account profile in CCMS and in your appointment
confirmation email.
REGISTER for the exam After approval of application, candidates can immediately
REGISTER for the exam.
SCHEDULE the exam To schedule for the exam in CCMS, select ‘Manage my program
> select the examination on the left navigation bar and then
Candidates can choose to select ‘Manage appointment’. You may also schedule your
take exam at a test centre or examination by selecting ‘Access PearsonVUE’ on the CCMS
via online testing homepage. Schedule your exam in the month of November 2021
or January 2022.
SIT for the exam At the Test Centre:
1 November – 30 November Arrive at the Pearson VUE test center on the scheduled date and
2021 OR time. Candidates must sit for the exam from 1 November to 30
November 2021 OR 1 January 2022 to 31 January 2022.
1 January 2022 – 31 January
2022 Online Test:
To prepare and understand the check-in procedures and system
requirements for online testing, visit the Pearson VUE online
proctoring page and click “Run system test.” Once you download
the application and follow the prompts, they are identical to
checking in for your upcoming exam. This program will also test
your system to determine if you meet the requirements needed
to take the exam via online testing.
Please take note that candidates assume responsibility for
meeting technical requirements prior to scheduling an exam and
taking your exam via online testing including stable internet
connectivity. Make sure to do the required system test and exam
simulation before exam day by running the system test as
follows:
Pearson VUE System Test
• Log into your CCMS account.
• Select “Access Pearson VUE” on the CCMS home page. [View
example]
• Under “Open Online Exams” on your dashboard, click the
scheduled examination link. [View example]
• Select “Begin Exam.”
4• You will be asked to download the OnVUE application and run
the program.
Complete the check-in process by following the screen prompts
(you may use a mobile phone or your computer webcam). Be
sure to have your Government Issued ID ready.
RETAKE Exam
Retake Registration and Schedule Window:
All year
Retake testing window:
November 2021, January 2022, April 2022, July 2022, and November 2022
Program Overview
5Applying for the CIA Challenge Exam
Do I have to be a member of IIA Singapore to take the CIA Challenge Exam?
With an IIA Singapore membership, you enjoy signification savings when you apply for the CIA
Challenge Exam and IIA training courses and conferences. If you are not an IIA member, you
will be paying non-member price to take the exam.
How do I become a member of IIA Singapore if I am not a member?
Please visit IIA Singapore website here to submit an online application under ‘Join Us’.
To avoid any delay in processing, please ensure that all documents required for membership
application are submitted at application. Membership period is valid from 1 July 2021 to 30
June 2022. One-time non-refundable application fee and full-year membership fee apply.
Documents List (in PDF format)
New Members
Individual Member 1. Complete IIA Singapore • Updated copy of resume including
online Membership current and previous job scope
Application Form • Certified true copy of academic
2. Upload supporting certificate, duly signed by HR, HOD or
documents in the IIA bring the original certificate to IIA
Singapore portal Singapore office*
3. Complete payment • Letter of employment printed on
4. Identity verification* company’s letterhead, including
employment date and current
designation. Validity of the letter should
not be more than 3 months prior to
application.
• NRIC consent form (downloaded from
online application page, duly verified by
IIA Singapore)
Apply here
Corporate Please approach your • Updated copy of resume including
nominee corporate administrator to current and previous job scope
(the employer is a join the membership • Certified true copy of academic
corporate certificate, duly signed by HR, HOD or
member) bring the original certificate to IIA
Singapore office*
• NRIC consent form (duly verified by IIA
Singapore staff)
* Due to Covid-19, we have made alternative arrangements for online verification of the
documents via face-time.
6What happens if I apply for the CIA Challenge Exam but do not meet the eligibility
requirements?
If it is determined during the validation process that the candidate does not meet the
eligibility requirements, the application will be denied. No refunds, in part or whole, will be
provided to candidates once the application is submitted.
How do I apply for the CIA Challenge Exam program?
Exam candidates are required to create a profile record in The IIA’s Certification Candidate
Management System (CCMS). If the candidate has previously taken an IIA exam or attended
IIA’s International Conference, the candidate already has a record in CCMS. DO NOT create a
second record, instead, go to RESETPASSWORD to recover your account. Candidates requiring
assistance may open a new case in your CCMS profile by selecting “Help” on the CCMS home
page.
• On the CCMS homepage, select “Apply for Certified Internal Auditor.”
• Select “Accounting body challenge exam.”
• After the payment screen, you must upload a letter of good standing from the qualified
accounting body and a Government Issued ID. You must also complete the electronic
character reference. Once approved into the program, you may register and schedule your
examination.
• To register and schedule your exam, select “Manage my program > CIA > Register.”
I am a member of the IIA but my membership is not reflected on my CCMS profile?
If you are a current IIA member, please select ‘Help’ and open a new case as you may have
two CCMS profiles that need to be merged. Please do not purchase the CIA Challenge exam
application unless the correct pricing for IIA members is reflected as no refunds or price
adjustments will be made once they process your payment.
Where can I access my score report?
Please review the Certification handbook for additional details on scoring. If you passed the
exam, your score report will indicate just that — no numeric score will be provided. Score
reports for a failed exam will include a numeric score and a list of the syllabus domain areas
where improvement is needed. Score reports can be found by selecting ‘Access PearsonVUE’
then ‘View Score Reports’ 24 hours after the examination is taken.
How do I register and schedule for the CIA Challenge Exam?
Access your CCMS profile. Once approved into the program, you may select “Manage my
program,” then select the examination on the left navigation bar and then select “Register”
and/or “Schedule.”
Schedule your examination for the month of November 2021 or January 2022. You will have
the option to take your exam via online testing or at a testing center. To find the nearest
testing center, visit the Pearson VUE page and select “Find a test center.”
What if I do not receive the Letter of Good Standing from my QAB?
If a candidate is unsure of qualifying, the candidate should contact the relevant Accounting
Body’s Membership Services before applying for the CIA Challenge Exam. Under no
7circumstances will a refund (in part or whole) be issued after the application has been
submitted.
CIA Challenge Exam Pricing and Payment
How much will the CIA Challenge Exam cost?
The exam bundle, priced at US$1,195 for IIA members and US$1,545 for non-IIA members,
includes:
• CIA Challenge Exam application fee
• CIA Challenge Exam registration fee
• CIA Challenge Exam Study Guide for Qualified CAs / CPAs and practice questions included
within the customised CIA Learning System
• Access to the Standards to help you prepare for the exam
The prices for the CIA Challenge Exam are not inclusive of GST. Singapore’s 7% GST is
payable by the candidates.
Can I just pay for the application and exam registration without purchasing the review
materials and membership?
No. The CIA Challenge Exam is only being offered as a bundle. Candidates may choose to take
the exam by completing the standard three (3) part examination process if they wish to only
pay for the exam application and registration fees.
How do I pay for the exam?
Payment for the CIA Challenge Exam must be submitted at the time of application.
Applications will not be reviewed for approval until required documents (Letter of Good
Standing, electronic Character Reference and Government Issued ID) and payment are
received. Payment must be submitted in the form of a credit card only.
What if I do not pass the CIA Challenge Exam? Can I retake it?
Candidates have a three-year program window and may continue to re-take the examination
for a fee during any of the testing windows. There is no maximum number of times candidates
may retake the examination within the three-year program window. The price for the retake
exam is US$795 for IIA members and US$945 for non-IIA members.
The prices for the CIA Challenge Exam are not inclusive of GST. Singapore’s 7% GST is payable
by the candidates.
Timeline for retake:
Retake Registration and Schedule Window: All year
Retake testing window: November 2021, January 2022, April 2022, July 2022, and November
2022
8Preparing for the CIA Challenge Exam
Where can I find the Certification Handbook?
The handbook can be found by going to your CCMS profile and select “Resources”. All
candidates are required to read and agree they have read and understood the policies and
procedures.
What language will the CIA Challenge Exam be offered in?
The CIA Challenge Exam is offered in English only.
How long does it take to complete the exam?
The CIA Challenge Exam contains 150 multiple choice questions. Candidates will have 3 hours
to complete the exam.
Is this an open book exam?
No, this is not an open book exam.
What does the customised CIA Learning System compose of?
The CIA learning system has been updated to version 7 and include 1,000 practice questions.
Please note these practice questions are developed independently of the IIA Global
Certifications department and based on the publicly listed syllabi.
All CIA challenge exam candidates will enjoy:
• A fully online learning experience allowing them to study whenever they have a few
spare minutes.
• Comprehensive online reading materials and downloadable e-reader files.
• Practice exam to test their comprehension and ability to apply concepts.
• A glossary of terms.
• A video tutorial providing an overview of the IPPF components.
• Access to these online study tools for one year.
Is the material in the package specially tailored for the Challenge Exam? Can it be used for
the normal CIA Exam route?
The study material in the package is specially customised for the Challenge Exam. Standard
CIA pathway (3 parts exam) will use the standard CIA Learning System (3 parts).
When will I receive the customised CIA Learning System?
Once approved into the program, candidates will receive the email invitation for the CIA
Learning System within 7 days from The IIA’s CIA Distribution Center with the subject line,
“Action Required - Your IIA Online Access”. Candidates will need to activate the CIA Learning
System separately. For questions or assistance with the CIA Learning System please reach out
to customercare@learncia.com in inquire further.
Where can I get more assistance to prepare for the CIA Challenge Exam?
IIA Singapore will hold two virtual 1-day CIA Challenge Exam preparatory courses in October
and December 2021. The courses are conducted by experienced local IIA trainers. Please
visit our website to check the terms and conditions.
9Taking the CIA Challenge Exam
What are the Test Centres available in Singapore?
Pearson Professional Centers-Singapore
PEARSON
51 Cuppage Road
#05-02/03/04
Singapore 229469
Phone: +65 6225 2027
NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd
NTUC Trade Union House
73 Bras Basah Road
Level 3, Room 3J
Singapore 189556
Phone: +65 68378356/57
What is Online Testing?
Online testing allows candidates to test using their own computer in their home, their office,
or remotely in other acceptable locations. Visit the Pearson VUE online proctoring page for
system requirements and additional information. Click Online Testing to watch a short video
to learn more.
Do I meet system requirements for online testing?
To prepare and understand the check-in procedures and system requirements for online
testing, visit the Pearson VUE online proctoring page and click “Run system test.” Once you
download the application and follow the prompts, they are identical to checking in for your
upcoming exam. This program will also test your system to determine if you meet the
requirements needed to take the exam via online testing.
Online testing is no longer supported on Internet Explorer therefore candidates should plan
to use Microsoft Edge, Safari, Chrome, and Firefox to take your exam.
Our vendor, Pearson VUE, has been made aware of issues with Mac devices when attempting
to take the test online. While Pearson VUE works to resolve the issue, candidates are
encouraged to use non-Mac devices to complete your test online. If that is not an option,
consider taking your exam at a Pearson Vue test centre.
Please take note that candidates assume responsibility for meeting technical requirements
prior to scheduling an exam and taking your exam via online testing including stable internet
connectivity.
Pearson VUE System Test
• Log into your CCMS account.
10• Select “Access Pearson VUE” on the CCMS home page. [View example]
• Under “Open Online Exams” on your dashboard, click the scheduled examination link.
[View example]
• Select “Begin Exam.”
• You will be asked to download the OnVUE application and run the program.
Is my workspace okay for online testing?
During the check-in process, you will be asked to take photos of your work area, which will be
checked by a proctor prior to exam launch. Please ensure that your desktop is clean and that
you are not within arms' reach of books, notepads, sticky notes, papers, pens, pencils, and
other writing instruments/objects. Additional monitors and computers must be unplugged
and turned off. Items on the wall with writing on them such as whiteboards, will be inspected.
If your workspace does not pass a room scan, you are not permitted to proceed with taking
the examination via online testing.
Is there more than one exam date?
Candidates have to schedule one appointment date in November 2021 or January 2022 to sit
for the exam.
Can I eat, drink, or take a break during the online exam?
The exam does not include scheduled breaks; breaks are not allowed during the exam for any
reason. If you leave your computer during your exam, the proctor will end your session and
you will be unable to continue testing. Water in a clear glass is allowed during testing;
however, eating, smoking, ear plugs and chewing gum are not permitted.
When will I receive my score?
You can access your score report approximately 24 hours after your exam by going to your
CCMS profile and clicking Access PearsonVUE > view score reports.
How can I contact IIA Singapore with regards to queries on the exam or assistance?
Please feel free to contact the Certification Team at certification@iia.org.sg or 6324 9029 for
queries.
11Continued Professional Education (CPE) Requirements
What are the CPE reporting requirements for the CIA professional certification when a
candidate successfully completes the CIA Challenge Exam?
Certified Internal Auditors are required to report CPE hours on an annual basis, by 31
December. Newly Certified Internal Auditors are immediately awarded 80 CPE hours. Half (40)
of the awarded CPE hours is for the year in which the exam is passed. The balance (40) is for
the following year. These hours are automatically reported on a candidate’s behalf for the
first two (2) years of certification.
Candidates who successfully complete the CIA Challenge Exam will need to report their CPE
credit hours for the first time no later than 31 December 2023. Once in a certified status, the
expiration dates are provided on your CCMS home page. To learn more about maintaining
certification, refer to the CPE Requirements webpage.
Who do I contact if I have a question regarding my certification or CPE requirements?
Please open a new case in your CCMS profile by selecting “Help” on the CCMS home page.
12You can also read
